anti-aging

It's no secret that women, on average, outlive men. Right now, that number seems to be about five years difference. For the longest time, no one really knew why this was, but scientists are finally beginning to discover the reasons behind this mystery of life.

Apparently, slight mutations in our cells mitochondria play a role in this difference in lifespan. Mitochondria exist in the cells of the vast majority of animals and help convert food into energy. These are an essential part of our existence, and when mutations occur it can make the difference in how long we live by affecting the speed of the aging process.

One recently concluded study looked at fruit flies and made a surprising discovery. They found that mitochondrial mutations had a significant effect upon the males of this species but there was no effect upon female fruit flies. Researchers believe that males are simply more susceptible to the mutations that occur naturally and that females are not prone to the effect that mitochondrial changes have on the aging process. Apparently this affects the rate of aging in males all across the animal kingdom.

The difference is occurring in how mitochondrial genes are passed down from parent to child. When genes are passed down, mitochondrial genes are only passed down from the mother. Over the millennia, there have been many mutations and conditions that only effect males, so when genes are passed down, the males' genes here are not taken into the equation. This leaves females unharmed by the potential for speedier aging and leaves males totally at the mercy of natural selection.

Women live about five years longer than men, and while the exact science behind this is not conclusively known, it is safe to say that scientists are making progress toward understanding why. Mitochondrial mutations look like they speed up the aging process in some males, and this brings down the average lifespan for men across the board. Not all men will pass away five years earlier than all women, but there are enough of these mutations present that the general population is significantly affected.

There are many things that you can do to increase your own chances of having a long lifespan. Stopping smoking and drinking can help, as can eating right and exercising. These things are all very important and while there is certainly no guarantee that you will live to 100 years old, these activities have been proven to be beneficial to increasing an individual's health. If you want to make sure you have a healthy and long life, taking steps in this direction can be a huge help. If you have further concerns about what you can do, it is important that you see a doctor for advice.

Matthew G. Young is a freelance writer who specializes in financial, sports, and health-related topics. To learn more about in home health care visit Paradise In Home Care

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Sometimes I try to trick myself into happiness. I know the benefits of sporting a positive mentality - better health, increased longevity, fewer wrinkles. However, sometimes the internal crab inside pokes out its nasty little head and tries to claw its way into your life and pinch off a bit of your joy. Ouch!

I have a few tricks of my own to keep negativity at bay.

• Avoid crabs. No, not the kind you dip in lemon butter, I'm talking about the two legged variety that suck the joy out of life. You may be tempted to commiserate with another unhappy soul, but this is not going to help your situation.

• Seek out optimistic allies. If you are in a sinking ship you don't want to hold hands with someone else who is drowning, reach out to someone who can pull you up. If they offer advice, shut up and listen. You can determine later whether their suggestions are good or not, but being open to optimistic change means you are going to have to look and act a bit differently to get out of your funk.

• Exercise. Bless those little endorphins Think of them as natural uppers. Yes, it's a pain, yes it's easier to sit on the couch, but that is not going to help things improve. Once you force yourself to do something as simple as taking a brisk walk you will find you not only feel better, but chances are you will find a spark to ignite some positivity into your life.

• Have an outing with a child. The kid can be your own, a grandchild or another family member's little one. Pick some place fun like a zoo, amusement park or a short hike. Being in the presence of a little one can help you recapture the everyday magic in life such as dew drops on a leaf, a fluttering butterfly, tiny flowers or an interesting insect.

• Volunteer. Whether it's ladling soup at a homeless shelter, reading to an elderly person, becoming a Big Brother or Big Sister or simply doing a few favors for someone in need, volunteering helps both you and the person you are helping.

Struggles are an important part of life, without them we become weak, lazy and are unable to achieve our highest potential. A perfect example of the importance of enduring and overcoming struggles as a path to happiness is found in the butterfly. While in its cocoon, the butterfly continually flails its tiny wings against its shell in an attempt to break free. Over and over the tiny creature beats its wings until it cracks open its shell, emerges and finally takes flight. However, if it weren't for the constant beating of its wings while trapped in its former home, the butterfly would not develop the strength it needs to fly. Indeed, it would fall out of its shell exhausted, lay on the ground panting, soon to be consumed by the nearest bird, or as goo scrapped from a jogger's shoe.

The same is true with human beings. While you may not worry about hungry birds or being stepped on by giants, it is important in your quest to become a happier human being that you face your difficulties head on. It has been said that "it is better to face the enemy than the void." After all, no one is exempt from problems. Even rich and powerful people have to deal with health issues, relationship difficulties and inclement weather and bad breath. And rich and famous folks don't have the advantage of people TELLING them their halitosis is wilting flowers and knocking horses off their feet.

You've heard it before (and yes I'm going to tell you again) the key factor is not so much the problem, but how one deals with it that matters.

With apologies to Muhammad Ali, please remember...

Float like a butterfly. Don't pinch like a crab. This is your life. Make it the best you can have.

Sally Marks is the president of Marks Public Relations and the co-author of the self-help book, Erase Negativity and Embrace the Magic Within. Visit her website at http://www.erasenegativity.com/.

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